Chickens, Pollution at Core of States' DisputeWater monitors recently found in Arkansas creeks have state officials angry over what they call the clandestine monitoring of the state's chicken industry. The monitors were traced back to Oklahoma's attorney general, who is threatening to sue the Arkansas chicken industry.

Gene Farr raises more than 625,000 chickens a year on his farm near Lincoln, Ark.
Greg Allen, NPR
hide caption

toggle caption

Greg Allen, NPR

Water monitors recently found in Arkansas creeks have state officials angry over what the call the clandestine monitoring of their chicken industry. The monitors were traced back to Oklahoma's attorney general, who is threatening to sue the Arkansas chicken industry.

While the discovery of the water monitors was an embarrassment, Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmonson and other officials are refusing to back off their contention that Arkansas must do more to police chicken suppliers within its borders. The state is home to several huge poultry companies.

The problem, everyone agrees, is the high level of phosphorus in the area's streams and rivers. Phosphorus is found in fertilizer and manure, and can run off from yards, golf courses, construction sites -- and chicken farms.